Currently, 150 Indians are under surveillance for their suspected links to the militant group.

January 16, 2016 17:37 IST

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday met the country's top security personnel and police officials of 13 states to discuss the increasing hold of the Islamic State group on the Indian youth via social media and other platforms.

The meeting was held after Syrian Deputy Prime Minister Walid Al Moaulem, who is in India for a three-day visit, said that four Indians were arrested in Damascus as it was suspected that they had plans of joining Isis. He did not specify the date of their arrest.

Currently, 150 Indians are under surveillance for their suspected links to the militant group. As many as 23 Indians have joined Isis so far, of which six have died in various incidents, an official told Press Trust of India (PTI).

The home minister said that even though the number of people from the country joining Isis is very small compared to other countries, India cannot lower its guard. He added that family values and traditions will be a deterrent for the Indian youth from joining Isis.

"The issues that were discussed included misuse of social media, sources of impetus that attract persons, specially youth, to Daesh, the growth of Daesh influence in India's neighbourhood and the best possible law enforcement response," a spokesperson from the Home Ministry told PTI.

Strategies to stop the Indian youth from joining the jihadi group such as welfare schemes for minorities, social media campaigns and capacity building for the police were discussed in the meeting.